Usmnt world cup qualifying

Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson stepped down on Tuesday (Jul 17), a few weeks after leading the tiny nation at its first World Cup. Heimir Hallgrimsson, who led Iceland to their first World Cup, stood down as manager on Tuesday. (AFP/PASCAL GUYOT) "If I had to continue, I would have done it with the same preparation, the same motivation but at some point, this kind of routine can lead to a certain weariness," he told a press conference in Reykjavik. The 51-year-old added that it would be "good for the team to have a new vision". The Football Association of Iceland had hoped he would extend his contract for two more years. "Heimir was naturally our first choice due to his excellent work in recent years," Gudni Bergsson, president of the federation, said in a statement which also thanked Hallgrimsson. Hallgrimsson became an assistant coach in 2011 under Swede Lars Lagerback. He took charge after Iceland reached the quarter-finals at the 2016 Euros in France and guided Iceland … [Read more...] about Iceland’s World Cup coach Hallgrimsson steps down

Hernan Dario Gomez said on Tuesday (Jul 17) that he was quitting as coach of Panama after leading the nation to their first World Cup finals. After leading Panama through their first World Cup, coach Hernan Dario Gomez quit. (AFP/Filippo MONTEFORTE) "Now, for me, it is the time for the difficult act of moving my feet from the place where I have put my heart," wrote the Colombian coach, who is known as Bolillo, in a letter published by the Panamanian football federation. Panamanian media reported that Gomez was taking over Ecuador, which finished eighth in the 10-team World Cup qualifying group and failed to reach Russia. Gomez coached Ecuador from 1999 to 2004 and led them to the 2002 World Cup, four years after guiding his native Colombia to the finals. Gomez took charge of Panama in 2014 and led them to the third qualifying place in the final regional group, thanks to an 88th minute goal in their last game, which allowed them to edge Honduras on goal difference and the … [Read more...] about Panama World Cup coach Gomez quits

Brazil star Neymar will make his World Cup bow on Sunday (Jun 17) as the five-time champions kick off quest for redemption while holders Germany launch their bid for back-to-back titles. Brazil's Neymar is the focal point of one of the most menacing attacks at the World Cup. (Photo: AFP/Joe Klamar) Four years after injury cut short his World Cup, before Brazil suffered a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, Neymar is once again spearheading his country's hopes. The Paris Saint-Germain striker's participation at the finals in Russia had been cast into doubt after he suffered a fractured right foot in late February. However the 26-year-old forward has shown little signs of rust since returning for Brazil, scoring in consecutive friendlies on the eve of the finals. That could spell trouble for Switzerland as they take on Brazil in Group E on Sunday. Brazil coach Tite, who masterminded a dominant qualifying campaign which saw the "Selecao" finish 10 points clear of their … [Read more...] about Germany and Brazil roll into the World Cup

Source: FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking, 2018Viet Nam News NEW DELHI — As the FIFA World Cup starts in Russia from this week, here is how Asian countries are ranked by the global football body. The FIFA World Cup begins today and countries across the world are gearing up for it. Only three Asian countries – Australia, South Korea and Japan have qualified to compete for the world’ most coveted trophy in football. On the global ranking, Australia is the only country from Asia that figures in the top 50. Australian team named Socceroos is ranked 36. The Socceroos are in Group C with France, Peru and Denmark. South Korea is ranked 57 and is the only Asian country that has qualified nine times for the world cup. It is also the only Asian country to win the most entertaining team award at 2002 FIFA world Cup. Two players from the team were also voted members of the MasterCard All Star Team, the only Asians to be voted in. South Korean team is in Group F with Germany, … [Read more...] about FIFA World Cup Ranking, 2018

Football fans will cheer on their teams at the World Cup finals in Russia later this month but researchers suggest the passions involved can be put to good use even off the pitch. A photograph taken on May 30, 2018 shows the FIFA World Cup 2018 flag in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. The FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament kicks off on June 14, 2018. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) The emotional effects of victory and even qualification for a major tournament may help strengthen national identity in countries where it is lacking, they argued. The study, published last month by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggested a feel-good factor from big-match wins can improve trust between ethnic groups and cut unrest. "The effect is sizeable and robust and is not explained by generic euphoria or optimism. Crucially, national victories do not only affect attitudes but also reduce violence," it added. Ruben Durante, a political economist at the Paris Institute of Political Studies … [Read more...] about World Cup can bring fractured nations together: Study

Russia have been awarded a place at the 2019 World Cup in Japan after World Rugby sensationally disqualified Spain, Romania and Belgium, the rugby union international governing body said on Tuesday (May 15). After the disqualification of Spain, Romania and Belgium in the 2019 World Cup, Russia will compete in Japan. (AFP/Dave ROGERS) Russia had finished third in European qualifying for the World Cup but head to the tournament after Romania, who originally won the section, second-placed Spain and fourth-placed Belgium were all docked points for fielding ineligible players. "World Rugby notes the outcome of the independent disputes committee review into matters relating to the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, competitions that doubled as a Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification event," said a statement issued on Tuesday. "In line with the decision, Russia will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2019 as Europe 1, joining Ireland, Scotland, Japan and the play-off winner in Pool A, … [Read more...] about Russia qualify for World Cup as Spain, Romania and Belgium disqualified

Striker Neymar, who hasn't played since injury in February, was named on Monday (May 14) as the star of a Brazilian team that coach Tite said has a good chance of winning the World Cup in Russia. Neymar's returning form will be a key factor for the Brazilian team, which lost influential right-back Dani Alves to a knee injury last week. (AFP/Nelson ALMEIDA) "Brazil is one of the favorites given the football it has shown, given its consistency," Tite said at the team announcement in Rio de Janeiro. He said the national team, seeking a record sixth championship, stands out for being "aggressive, scoring goals." "That's not being arrogant, it's just telling the truth," Tite said. Neymar's returning form will be a key factor. He has been out since requiring surgery for a broken bone in his foot while playing for Paris Saint-Germain, and is only now easing back into training. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said he was hopeful, with the bone making "excellent progress." Neymar should be … [Read more...] about Neymar headlines Brazil’s World Cup team

Viet Nam News Football ABUJA — Nigeria’s 2-0 loss to fellow World Cup qualifiers Serbia in London this week served as a ’reality check’ to inflated World Cup hopes, according to team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye. Wins in recent friendlies over top-10 teams Argentina and Poland had boosted hopes of Nigeria’s 180 million people that this young side are capable of going beyond the country’s best performance of a last-16 finish in 1994, 1998 and 2014. "We hope to learn from this and correct our mistakes because this team have the ingredients of a great team and what is crucial now is how they react after this setback," Ibitoye said. "The loss to Serbia was a reality check." Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has in the past talked up the team’s potential to make history by becoming the first African side to win the World Cup this year. But the defeat by Serbia has brought the Super Eagles back down to earth with less than … [Read more...] about Serbia defeat punctures Nigeria World Cup hype

The Business Side Of The World CupBy Trung Chau & Thanh HuongOne week before the World Cup kicked off, Nam Hyung-Kun, president of SeAH Steel Vina Corp. whose factory is in Dong Nai Province, said that he and some of his Korean friends working in HCM City would visit a bar in the city downtown to watch the first 2010 World Cup match of the Korean national squad against Greece in Group B.Reponses from bars and restaurantsNam and Rivera are two of a big contingent of expatriates working and living in Vietnam who heartily support their national squads playing at the world’s biggest football event.Needless to say, these communities offer big business opportunities to bars and restaurants in town, especially those with specific designs and layouts of some regions in the world. They can be easily found in downtown HCM City and Hanoi.The “backpacker” quarter bordered by Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien and De Tham streets in HCM City’s District 1 may be the most exciting … [Read more...] about The Business Side Of The World Cup

Vietnamese football supporters have celebrated the under-23 team’s progress into the final four of the Asian Cup as if the team had already won the tournament or qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Foreigners in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other towns across the country were surprised to be confronted by seas of people who took to the streets carrying the national flag in celebration of the U23’s quarterfinal penalty shootout win against Iraq on Saturday night. Revelers rejoiced after the game had ended in a tense 3-3 draw after extra time at the AFC U23 Championships being held in China. After learning of the reason for the outpouring of national pride, expats and foreign visitors were left scratching their heads, and pondering whether it was too early to celebrate. However, a look back at Vietnam’s football history over the last decade may explain why fans have not waited for a trophy to start celebrating. Revelers are seen on a street in Ho Chi Minh … [Read more...] about ​Why Vietnam football fans celebrate Asian Cup semi like a World Cup win